For the first time an official has confirmed there is a criminal investigation underway into the mass illnesses at the Mi Ranchito restaurant in Lenexa, and it appears there may have been a third incident of illness tied to the restaurant, three months earlier than the other two.
An Olathe couple tells NBC Action News they got sick on May 29th. They don't want to talk on-camera, but described their situation in detail.
They started feeling bad while still eating, but didn't start vomiting until after getting home. They are a retired couple who continue to have health problems since eating there.
Their symptoms were similar to those described by other vicitms of the mass illnesses in August and September. They reported their illness, and it sparked an inspection at the restaurant on June fourth.
Lisa Taylor with the Kansas Department of Agriculture says it was investigated as a complaint. However, it does not meet the critieria to be called a "food bourne illness outbreak" because the two victims are from the same household, not different ones.
Taylor says she can't tell us what has happened to the complaint because "there is an ongoing criminal investigation".
Taylored referred us to other criminal authorities, who will not comment on any possible investigation.
